David Robert Wolstenholme

David Robert Wolstenholme passed away June 2, 2025 in Oregon after an illness. He was born in Bury, Lancashire, England on Nov.5, 1937. He is survived by his wife Caryl, his daughter Sarah Wolstenholme Witter, his son-in-law Todd Witter, and his grandchildren Lily Witter and Riley Witter, his brother Christopher Wolstenholme, and by his brother-in-law, John Hines.

David led a full life, thoroughly enjoying his chosen occupation in the biological sciences. He published over 100 research papers, and has been cited in 9124 research papers.

He earned his First Class Honors degree from the University of Sheffield in 1958, followed by his PhD in 1961, also at the University of Sheffield. His first postdoctoral research was at the University of Cambridge. In 1962 David went to the University of Wisconsin Madison for post doctoral work. This was followed by a year in Groningen Holland and almost 3 years at the Max Planck Institute in Tuebingen, Germany. Back in the United States, David spent his last postdoctoral year at the University of Chicago. From there, as professor he was at Kansas State University, And finally at the University of Utah, where he became full professor and stayed in various positions for 40 years. During that time, he worked with the NIH for years, served as chairman of the biology department, and had many industrious grad students working in his laboratory.

David received his Doctor of Science degree in 1973 from the University of Sheffield, a degree of which he was very proud.

While at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, he met his future wife, Caryl at the student union. Together they moved to many places around the world, eventually landing in Utah, where they lived until his retirement from the University of Utah. After retirement, he and his wife, Caryl moved to Oregon to enjoy a farming lifestyle, where they also lived closer to their daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren. He continued to indulge his perennial interest in fossils and rocks, something he continued to enjoy until his passing.